UK Government Electric Vehicle Battery Prize Launched

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David Goldman/AP

In this Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015 photo, a sign designates a parking space and charging station for electric vehicles outside a supermarket in Alpharetta, Ga. Electric vehicles are particularly popular in metro Atlanta, where electric vehicle owners can use highway lanes off-limits to solo drivers in a traditional car and a Nissan dealership runs regular radio ads claiming best in the nation sales of the plug-in Leaf. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Everyone is investing in batteries for electric cars, from NASA to Apple.

The competition will open for bids in April with a winner announced in the summer.

Announcing the prize Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "The challenge is to draw on the UK's world-class scientific research and develop a battery which is at the cutting edge of innovation, commercially viable and ready to be put into production.

"The competition will be open to all UK research establishments, working together with vehicle manufacturers based over here in the UK."

Transport campaigner Quentin Willson, who has been involved in designing the prize, said: "The UK should lead the world in cutting-edge ULEV battery technology and this initiative will help create jobs, establish a whole new industry and boost GDP. I totally support this prize for the best in UK battery innovation."